Little River party-boat shooting suspect arrested in Illinois, Horry County police say
HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Authorities in Illinois have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the Memorial Day weekend shooting aboard a chartered party boat in Little River that injured 11 people.
Shawon Shamarion Williams, 19, was taken into custody in Lake County, Illinois, according to the Horry County Police Department. He is expected to be charged with multiple counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
North Myrtle Beach police say officer accidentally shot himself in leg during Little River shooting response
Williams will be extradited to Horry County, Horry County police spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said late Thursday afternoon in an email news release. Moskov also said other individuals could be charged as the investigation continues.
Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt said Tuesday at a news conference that three of the 11 people injured in Sunday's shooting were still hospitalized. He also said it was an isolated incident that happened while the boat was docked in the Watson Avenue area.
Little River shooting latest episode of high-profile crimes since March
The shooting happened aboard the Hurricane II, which is part of a fleet of charter boats based in Calabash, North Carolina.
According to the Associated Press, a flyer online advertised a party Sunday night with a DJ on a three-hour cruise ending at 9 p.m. A woman who answered a phone number on the flyer early Monday said she was distraught seeing her friends get shot but then said she didn't want to talk and hung up. Someone who answered the phone at the company that owns the boat said he didn't want to talk to a reporter.
Randy Evans told a Charleston newspaper that his 25-year-old son was shot in the ankle and toe but managed to use his bathing suit as a makeshift tourniquet to help people who were more severely injured.
'The surgery was better than they expected,' Evans told The Post and Courier after his son didn't need pins in his foot or ankle. 'He's going to be OK.'
Evans said his son told him that an argument after the boat docked turned ugly.
No additional information was immediately available about Thursday's arrest. Police encouraged anyone with information or materials relevant to the investigation to reach out to the department's crime tip line at 843-915-8477 or to email crimetips@horrycountysc.gov
This is a developing story. Count on News13 for updates.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this story.
* * *
Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Under the baobab: Devoted volunteers ensure fallen heroes are honored
Memorial Day is a sacred time when we honor our fallen heroes and sheroes. Last Saturday morning, Terry McGrory rose at the crack of dawn, as he has for the last 40 years. He gathered the flags he had gotten from the Veterans Association. He called his family to meet him at the Centre County Memorial Cemetery. Then he called a dozen or so volunteers with the same message. Rob Brown, a Vietnam vet, wasn't feeling well. His wife Linda asked if she could go instead. When the sun came up and they could read the tombstones, they fanned out over the cemetery. They erected 2,000 flags before 9 a.m. 'We want to get them in place before their families came to visit,' Terry said. The CCMC was the first of several cemeteries the team would service that morning. One of them, the Marysville African Methodist Episcopal resting place, had been abandoned years before. The church that cared for it has also disappeared. Only one grave site could still be recognized, Aaron Delige. Terry located Aaron's grave through info from the VA. He had graciously called to ask if I would like to place the flag on his grave. I was honored. Two other members of Aaron's family are listed among the U.S. Colored Troops from the Civil War on the monument in front of the Centre County Courthouse. They are among the 200,000 African Americans who enlisted in the Union Army. One of these was my great-great grandfather, Curtis McKenzie. My dad, also a vet, served during World War II in the segregated American Army. He later served in Korea and Vietnam. Behind the scenes Terry, Rob, Linda and the rest are heroes, paying tribute to our veteran ancestors who defended our country with their last measure of devotion. We thank all of them for their unheralded efforts. As part of the weekend, The Boalsburg Village Conservancy presented the 161st Memorial Day Service. Boalsburg is arguably the birthplace of Memorial Day, which began in 1864 when three women — Emma Hunter, Sophie Keller and Elizabeth Myers — decorated the graves of their loved ones. On Saturday, Jeff Brown acted as Master of Ceremonies. Pastor Jody Reese gave the invocation and benediction. The Level Best Quartet sang the national anthem. A presentation of stories about Boalsburg Civil War vets was given by Daughters of Union Veterans, Tent 62 which included Rebecca Crossley and Karen Hazel. The traditional firing of the cannons was conducted by Battery B. John Leskowicz played taps and Tracey Moriarty played 'Amazing Grace' on the pipes. Local political leaders including state Rep. Paul Takac and County Commissioner Mark Higgins were present. Other Happy Valley happenings Penn State music professor Tony Leach's spirit cascaded through the hundreds of people who overflowed Pasquerilla Spiritual Center for his 'Celebration of Life Through Song' tribute. The program lifted our hearts as we celebrated Tony's life, work and grace. Rev. Tabitha P. Lewis was officiant and gave the eulogy. Members of Tony's family, Bishop Myron Leach, Makayla Leach, Cynthia Leach and Neal Holter offered remarks and songs. A 200-voice choir, conducted by Eric Williamson, included many former Essence members including Orieyama Linebarger, Alfie Parker, Melanie Gerald, Kiena Williams, Sean Lynch, Fran Bettyow, Cori Avery, Christyn Geary, Ron Johnson. Clergy and dignitaries also included: Rev Elizabeth Eckman, Rev. Herbert Jones, Rev. Viola Bradford and Robert Drafall. Centre Safe Executive Director Jennifer Pencek welcomed folks to their 50th anniversary awards luncheon. Gina and John Ikenberry were recognized as Philanthropists of the Year. Douglas Hearn received the Community Service Award; Corporate Partner of the Year was Mount Nittany Health. The Bellefonte and Penns Valley area school districts shared the Partners in Prevention Award. Also present were Sue Paterno and County Commissioner Amber Concepcion. Après la pluie le beau temps. Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party's nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012. He lives with his partner and wife of 50 years in State College.
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
'Groundless accusations': China delegation rejects US secretary of state's warning at Singapore security forum
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hamas responds to US ceasefire proposal for Gaza while seeking amendments
Hamas has responded to the latest US ceasefire proposal for Gaza while seeking amendments to it. A senior Hamas official told the Associated Press: 'There some notes and amendments to some points, especially on the US guarantees, the timing of hostage release, the delivery of aid and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.' A separate Hamas statement said the proposal aims for a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an ensured flow of aid. It said 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others would be released 'in exchange for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners'. Israeli officials have approved the US proposal for a temporary ceasefire in the nearly 20-month war. US President Donald Trump has said negotiators were nearing a deal.
